Information Sourced from the USDA // Photo Sourced on Unsplash
WEATHER
Average low temperatures for California ranged from 30 to 64 in the mountains, 38 to 71 in the desert, 43 to 66 along the coast, and 49 to 64 in the Central Valley. Average high temperatures for the state ranged from 56 to 102 along the coast, 63 to 96 in the Central Valley, 66 to 87 in the mountains, and 77 to 105 in the desert.
FIELD CROPS
Across the state, corn continued to mature and was chopped for silage. Alfalfa was harvested for hay and silage. Harvested fields were fertilized and disced in preparation for winter crops. In the Sacramento Valley, rice, dry bean, and sunflower harvests continued. In the Northern San Joaquin Valley, sudan grass was harvested and winter oats emerged. In the Southern San Joaquin Valley, cotton defoliation activities advanced and some producers began harvesting. In Tulare County, dry bean fields were cut and windrowed. Corn and alfalfa silage harvest neared completion. Alfalfa was cut, raked, and baled. Cotton harvest began.
FRUIT CROPS
Table and wine grape harvests continued. Some table grapes were put away for the storage season which is expected to be shorter due to the impacts of Hurricane Hilary. Peach, pluot, prune, and plum harvests were winding down. Figs, apples, pears, pomegranates, and kiwifruit were harvested. Persimmons were reaching mature size and starting to show color. Cherry and apricot orchards were pruned and treated for nematodes. Table olive harvest continued. Olive trees for oil were pruned in preparation for harvest. Strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry harvests were ongoing. New citrus plantings continued to develop. Valencia oranges and grapefruit were harvested. District 2 lemon harvest neared completion, and District 3 lemon harvest began.
NUT CROPS
Pistachio and walnut harvests continued. Almond harvest was winding down. Pecans continued to mature. Nematodes were treated in walnuts. Almond and walnut orchards were sprayed for pests and weeds.
VEGETABLE CROPS
Across the Central Valley, pumpkins, tomatoes, sweet corn, melons, bell peppers, and squash continued to be harvested. Growers treated tomato fields with fungicides to control mold and pesticides to control army worm. In the Northern San Joaquin Valley, sweet potatoes, onions, eggplant, and garlic were harvested. Cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew harvests were in their last week. In the Southern San Joaquin Valley, garlic, carrots, onions, cucumbers, melons, and peppers were harvested. Along the Central Coast, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, celery, lettuce, kale, and peppers were harvested. Eggplant harvest began in the Coachella Valley.
LIVESTOCK
Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in poor to fair condition, though much of the state was dampened by rain. Irrigated pasture was in good condition. Supplemental feeding for cattle continued in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Some cattle grazed higher elevation range. Fall calving season was ongoing. Sheep grazed retired cropland and harvested vegetable fields. Some bees were moved into the state for overwintering.
